Legislators Earn Three Times More Than Average Americans

This morning the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) released its latest report exposing the costs behind congressional compensation and the sobering figures that highlight just how much taxpayers are paying when it comes to salaries and benefits for elected officials. The report also shows that elected officials in the United States enjoy compensation that is equivalent to more than three times the amount of the average wage in the nation. Read the full report on congressional compensation here.

Members of Congress receive pay and benefits far in excess of what average working Americans receive. In addition to a salary of $174,000 per year, which by itself puts legislators among the highest-paid five percent of U.S. workers, Members of Congress also receive generous fringe benefits. In fact, congressional compensation, including benefits, totals around $286,000 per year. With the average full-time employee in the United States earning $50,875 annually, Members of Congress make 3.4 times more than the averageAmerican.

“With a $16.7 trillion debt and a Congress poised to miss another budget deadline on September 30, it is confusing why members of Congress are still among the best compensated employees in America,” said Taxpayers Protection Alliance President David Williams. “If Congress is serious about fiscal responsibility, the first cut should be to theirsalaries.”

The study also shows that if congressional salaries were cut to $100,000, taxpayers could save $39 millionannually.

“This report comes on the heels of many complaints from Washington about sequestration, and while politicians on both sides continue to decry spending cuts to their sacred cow programs, there is still very little effort being focused on reducing congressional compensation. Given budget deficits and Congress’ seeming inability to agree on plans to address the shortfall, many Americans are skeptical of what they receive in return for what they are paying their elected representatives. Immediate steps need to be taken to cut congressional salaries andbenefits.”